SouthRoads Gets It Done
The morning of Thursday 23 October was, in every sense, the calm before the storm. By midday, Southland and Otago were being battered by some of the strongest and most destructive winds the regions had ever seen. Not long after, calls and emails began flooding into SouthRoads as reports of damage and disruption came through.
As soon as the severity of the situation became clear, SouthRoads teams were dispatched across the network to assess the damage and determine what resources would be needed for the cleanup. Progress was steady until cell tower backup batteries began to fail, cutting off communication with crews and the wider public. Limited text coverage kept operations moving and allowed the initial response to continue despite the challenges.
The following day, SouthRoads crews were back out in force, clearing fallen trees, repairing signs, and restoring roads to a safe condition. Their quick and coordinated efforts helped minimise disruption for road users and ensured key routes were reopened as soon as possible.
In the days that followed, the true extent of the storm’s impact became evident. No one could have predicted the scale of the damage. Throughout it all, SouthRoads teams worked tirelessly, many while dealing with damage to their own homes and coping without power or communication. Their dedication and teamwork during such a demanding time were a true reflection of SouthRoads’ commitment to keeping communities connected, even in the toughest conditions.
